Europe paves way for right to repair
The EU has taken a small step towards cutting waste and greenhouse gases from manufacturing of popular consumer goods.
For the first time, manufacturers will be obliged to make appliances more easily repairable and longer-lasting as a result following a decision by European Member States. The measures will enter into force from April 2021 onwards.
The rules will apply to everyday products including lighting, displays, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges.
This is good news for the environment and consumers, according to the EEB and ECOS, which lead the Coolproducts campaign and advocate for the right to repair in Europe alongside thousands of independent repairers and national groups.
Chloe Fayole of ECOS said:
“The agreement is a step in the right direction. From the US to Europe, people are demanding their right to repair the things they own because they’re tired of products that are designed to break prematurely. Enabling consumers to repair and reuse all electronic products is just common sense.”
However, repair professionals are set to retain control of most repair operations. The new laws will require producers to make most spare parts and repair manuals available to professional repairers only. This may restrict the access of independent repairers, repair cafés and consumers to some key replacement parts and information, limiting the availability and affordability of repair services.
Stephane Arditi of the EEB said:
“When repair activities stay in the hands of a few firms, we’re missing an opportunity to make it more affordable and readily available. Small independent repairers can make a great contribution to the economy and our society. We need to help them do their job.”
In November, NGOs denounced strong pressure from industry lobby groups, which prompted the European Commission to water down the proposals on repairability in favour of recyclability. [1]
Facts and figures
- The proportion of defective devices being replaced by consumers grew from 3.5% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2012 (source)
- This may be costing German consumers €110 a month per person (source)
- A long-lasting washing machine will generate over 20 years 1.1 tonnes less CO2 than a short-lived model. This analysis takes into account manufacturing, distribution, use and end-of-life treatment (source)
- Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world (source)
- Only 35% of electronic waste in the EU is collected and treated properly (source)
- Illegal flows within the EU are estimated at 4.65 million tonnes in 2012 (source)
NGO assessment of the new Ecodesign requirements [2]
Notes for editors
[2] The proposals are part of the EU’s laws aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of products, known as Ecodesign.
Ecodesign policies have so far largely focused on energy efficiency, improving domestic and industrial products by making them perform better with less energy. Progressive policy-makers are now trying to take it a step further, to make sure that they also last longer, and are easier to repair and recycle.
For further information, please contact:
Mauro Anastasio, Communications officer – EEB and Coolproducts
+32 474 65 81 63
mauro.anastasio@eeb.org
